Bento is a packed meal common to Japan, traditionally containing rice, fish or meat, and pickled or cooked vegetables. Bento boxes range from disposable mass produced materials to hand crafted lacquerware and even ceramic pots. They are available throughout Japan from convenience stores, bento shops, railway stations, and department stores, while Japanese mothers devote time and energy on carefully prepared lunch boxes for their family. What sets bento apart from other kinds of packed meals is the presentation. For example, [Continue Reading…]